"It was an amazing experience," says Brooks Griffin of his stint with Banana Republic. "I went from a part-time college job styling their windows at the store level to traveling inner Mongolia to source cashmere at the buyer level." As part of the retailer's merchant training program, the Florida native relocated to the Bay Area in the early '90s; he ultimately worked at the company for nearly a decade.

After leaving Banana Republic and the United States altogether - he spent a couple of years in Australia - Griffin returned stateside and found himself on the receiving end of a call from local chef, TV personality and entrepreneur Michael Chiarello. In 2006, Griffin was named a vice president of merchandise for NapaStyle ( www.napastyle.com), Chiarello's lifestyle store.

Griffin's job entails a range of tasks - from tasting olive oils to collaborating with a vendor to create hand-pounded copper tumblers. (The latter, which are used for water service at Chiarello's Napa restaurant, Bottega, are among NapaStyle's best-sellers.)

Griffin's sartorial experience has come in handy in his current position: "My fashion background allowed me to travel the globe and experience food, wine and cultures that inspire my current world view," he explains. "The fashion world also never rests, and once you experience that vitality you are constantly looking for the next great idea."

The Griffin cheat sheet

Collector's edition: "Find something interesting to collect. Whenever I travel I look for vintage hand tools. They're at every flea market around the world and can sometimes be found inexpensively. The search is half the fun. I've asked people for specific tools and been taken to their 'secret collection.' It's amazing to see what craftsmen were using around the world to create beautiful objects."

Color therapy: "It's amazing how much impact changing a single accent wall can have on the overall look and feel of your space. Go to your local paint store and grab a few samples. An afternoon of painting will change your mood for the better. I've recently used C2 Paint's Cognac. And I love Fine Paints of Europe's Storm Cloud and Navy Blue. G&R Paint carries both lines." ( www.philipsperfectcolors.com)

Local resource: "I find great items at Stuff. They are always changing their merchandise and have a great eye for the unusual. It is getting more and more challenging to find dealers that have affordable vintage items, but these guys never disappoint. They've just opened a second floor and doubled their space. I recently picked up a 1970s light-up landing-strip number from SFO, and a pair of marble polar bear bookends here. It's hard to leave empty-handed." ( www.stuffsf.com)

Trial and error: "Don't be afraid to experiment. Some great spaces are on their fifth incarnation because the previous four didn't work out perfectly. Move a chair or put the sofa in an unconventional area. Sometimes inspiration strikes when you make a mistake. Learning what you like can sometimes be a process of eliminating what you don't like. I move my artwork around frequently. People think I've purchased a new collection or that my taste has changed based on the placement. You'd be surprised at the reaction you get from taking the crazy piece out of the bathroom and putting it in the foyer."

On decorating: "Tell your story visually. Find a few items that reflect your past and your heritage. It's hard to create a story around something with which you have no relationship. I love walking into someone's home and seeing the cooking tools their grandmother used or the chair their country veterinarian had in his office."

A few favorites

Coqui Coqui in Tulum, Mexico: "This is my favorite small, beach hotel in the world. The seven-room former private residence is attached to a perfumery that uses old Mayan formulas for their fragrances. The Argentine model who owns and runs the place has exquisite taste and the service is both exemplary and very personal." ( www.coquicoqui.com)

NapaStyle jewelry: "I'm excited about the naturally elegant feeling of our jewelry. It's a new category for us, and I can't wait to work with more designers. I've gotten so much positive feedback on the product that I hope more people get to experience giving or receiving a new piece of jewelry." ( www.napastyle.com)

Sightglass Coffee: "I've had a lot of great coffee in the Bay Area and I think these guys are at the top of their game. The minimal decor of the space on Seventh and Folsom is very calming, and the baked treats keep me enthralled. I love to settle in with a good book and watch the South of Market world stroll in." ( www.sightglasscoffee.com)